Cold snap prompts SA health warning

A blast of cold weather heading across South Australia has prompted a health warning from authorities.

A cold snap to hit South Australia this weekend has prompted a rare cold weather health warning.

The weather bureau says Adelaide will have a top of just 12 degrees on Saturday with heavy showers and rising winds from an intense low pressure system.

Snow showers are also possible for parts of the Flinders and Mt Lofty ranges.

SA Health chief medical officer Paddy Phillips says in those conditions hypothermia is a real and significant health risk.

"The very old and very young, and those who are frail are at particular risk," Professor Phillips said.

"Some people may have a reluctance to use heaters because of the cost, but it's important that they consider their health during times of extreme cold."

The State Emergency Service (SES) has urged home owners and motorists to take care over the weekend with the wintery weather making driving conditions dangerous and increasing the risk of localised flooding.

"There may be a lot of water, ice, mud and debris such as fallen trees and branches on the roads, particularly in the Mt Lofty Ranges, the Fleurieu Peninsula and the mid North regions," SES acting chief officer Dermot Barry said.


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Source: AAP


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